Circular orientation in performance: a study of the cycle of living and its application in the cultural expression like dance
This study focuses on the circular orientation in performances by Abathwa and Abantu speaking people of central and southern Africa. This notion is explored through close examination of space, movements, time and objects used during ritual and recreational performances. The study is informed by the meaning contained in symbolism rooted in Africans’ perception of culture, religion, language, cosmos, science and artistic aesthetics. The first chapter is the general introduction to the study covering aspects such as statement of the problem and hypothesis, rationale, methodology and literature review. It also attempts to give an in depth explanation of the African conception of the circle, the centre and the cycle. It explains how these three concepts are applied in social structure, architecture and ritual performances. The chapter also explains the African cyclical perception of time and life. The second chapter looks at the historical perspective of dance performances by indigenous peoples of southern Africa. The histories and the cultural backgrounds of the Khoisan and the Bantu speaking people, form the bases for the interpretation and understanding of dance performances during rituals, recreation and children games. The third chapter investigates the thematic approach towards the interpretation of dance performances by the Bantu and the Khoisan speaking people of Africa. The emphasis is on the theme of gender and sexuality since it is the theme that plays a central role in most of the ritualistic performances among the Africans. While the emphasis on relationship between genders in the performances, the attention is also paid towards the metaphoric, symbolic and paradoxical representations of African world view through the juxtaposition of gender and sexuality during performances. The fourth chapter examines the use of elements of dance performances in relation to themes of fertility (human and soil) and curing. These themes are discussed because they are the themes that apply to all the people being studied where as themes such as animal (hunting) and acrobatic (masks) can only apply to certain peoples not to the other for one reason or the other. The fifth chapter deals with the aesthetic principles as they apply to African dance forms and performances. It focuses on the application of the elements of space and symbolism contained in other elements of performance such as timing, costume, crafts and objects. The sixth chapter is an investigation of the circular orientation in modern performances and children games. It also examines the continuation of the circular orientation in religious worship-performances. The seventh/the last chapter is about the findings, recommendations and the general conclusion of the study.
Abathwa speaking people, Abantu speaking people, architecture and ritual performances, Indeginous people, Khoisan people
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